It was such a rare thing that she could go out without her sister by her side, especially since Lucius had landed in Azkaban. Her sister was overbearing, and Narcissa never quite knew if her company was out of their relationship as sisters or her new role as Voldemort's right hand. The two roles had become so intertwined in the last year, that Narcissa could barely make out who her family was anymore.
Despite the summer month, there was a strong breeze in the air that evening. She'd always hated the shoddy town. The old must of the cotton mill still hung in the air. "Don't go wandering into Spinner's End," her mother had always told them on their childhood trips into the city. "The worst of Muggles live there." And yet, here she was, covering herself as she made her way through the dark alleys to get to the man she needed to see.
Severus Snape. Narcissa could never get a read on him, but she knew that what she needed to discuss was something only he could understand. He was the Dark Lord's other right hand, where he stood in comparison to her sister, Narcissa didn't know. Yet, Narcissa had always questioned his loyalties. She knew he was valuable, but she also knew that he understood that duties existed outside the scope of the Death Eater circle, duties of one's life. It was the Death Eater's lack of understanding these things that kept Narcissa from branding the mark into her skin. It seemed Snape's time as a teacher had softened him more than the other men, making him the only person she could trust. Narcissa could see the occasional flinch in his face when someone was killed. Even Lucius had noted the changes in Snape since he began working undercover at Hogwarts.
Draco wanted to become a Death Eater. She knew it was coming. Merlin knows his father wouldn't have it any other way. Narcissa couldn't understand the rush for his joining, she'd suspected she'd know more later in the summer, but for now, she needed someone to look after him. Lucius, when he came home, would be too ingrained and focused on winning the Dark Lord back over to fully look after Draco. Snape was already in and was with Draco at school.
As Narcissa approached the window to Snape's home, she noticed a few candles on, and through the pulled down shade, she saw Snape's upper body in a very familiar position. It was only a dimly lit shadow, but Narcissa recognized the motions of his body and could hear the banging of the bed against the wall. She blushed a little. Snape seemed so cellibate. She'd never thought much into the man's sex life, but she'd certainly never thought he'd have much of one. After a few moments, a woman's shadow appeared, now appearing to be sitting on top of him. He likes them domineering, Narcissa thought to herself. Sitting down on a bench across from the window, far enough over that he wouldn't be able to see, she hoped the one night stand would leave in a few moments. Narcissa didn't pin Snape as the cuddling type. Surely, the whore would be gone soon. Good for him, she mused. The man could use a little pleasure, might loosen him up.
When the window shade opened and no woman had left his home yet, Narcissa couldn't help but lean over to see who Snape's company was. Though a single candle was only now lit, Narcissa recognized the stern face and dark hair of her former Transfigurations professor. Snape was shagging McGonagall? She couldn't help but assume this was by some order of the Dark Lord, getting closer to her to get to Albus. It made sense. But, Narcissa couldn't comprehend Snape going through with it. McGonagall's chest was bare, and although she thankfully couldn't see much detail, Narcissa could see the two embracing.
When McGonagall opened the window shade, Narcissa was thankful for her hidden position and for the fact that her former professor was wearing undergarments. Snape approached her from behind, shirtless. Narcissa noted how thin the man looked, scars across his chest and his skin paler than normal. McGonagall too had a scar across her chest. Narcissa had heard about the attack, and truthfully, she'd been sad to hear about it. She'd never been close to the woman, and she disagreed with her political views. However, McGonagall had always been fair and kind to her during her Hogwarts years. Narcissa had never wanted to see her harmed. Seeing the woman up on her feet, or on her knees, she mused, was a relief.
When Snape appeared, he had wrapped his arms around her waist, putting his face in her hair as he ran his hands through it. McGonagall smiled, and Narcissa saw the first emotion she'd ever seen on the man. He wasn't smiling, but he looked relaxed. Even as a child, Narcissa had never seen Snape angry, sad, or happy. Always a blank look, which only becomes more so with age. This was a new man. This looked too genuine to be a mission for Voldemort. Narcissa knew that look. Snape kissed the side of her head. They were whispering to each other, but suddenly McGonagall pulled the window shade back down. And, back they were to their former position of lovemaking.
Narcissa would wait through the evening for McGonagall to leave, but the woman's lack of departure indicated that this was not a one night stand. They had eventually moved out of the bedroom downstairs, which Narcissa could clearly see was his living room. McGonagall was settled into an armchair, surrounded by bookshelves. Snape was cooking in the kitchen. Seeing the two in some, alternate universe of domestic bliss was something Narcissa couldn't keep her eyes off of. Besides, the knowledge of Snape's affair was something she could leverage. She wouldn't reveal it, no. Narcissa knew better than to reveal this transgression to the Dark Lord. It would end in lives lost, something she wasn't going to have on her hands. Besides, she knew Snape wasn't thick enough to give information to McGonagall. If the man needed some sexual relief, who was Narcissa to ruin it? The man had never looked happy once in his life. With the times that lay ahead, he deserved a break. Merlin knew she was wishing for it.
However, holding this information over him was a tool Narcissa was willing to use. She needed Draco's safety, and though the knowledge of the affair would remain between Snape and herself, she could threaten to reveal it. Snape eventually came back into his living room, carrying a tray of food to McGonagall, sitting on the stool in front of the armchair. McGonagall wrapped her arms around him this time, looking so unlike Narcissa's memory of her from school. Her hair was down, clad in a very thin nightgown. Green silk, Narcissa noticed. She had aged significantly, but she looked more beautiful than Narcissa recalled from her school days. Happiness looked good on her. And so, the two sat, chatting and eating together until Narcissa knew she'd overstayed her welcome.
She needed Snape, but she settled on allowing the two lovers to enjoy what little of their time remained. Without much information, Narcissa would return to talk to him when McGonagall wasn't home and when she could talk to him more. She smiled a little as she retreated back into the dingy streets, holding the secret safe with her unless something called for her to reveal it.